There’s nothing quite like the thrill of waking up to a Dota 2 patch that completely shakes up the meta. And who better to take inspiration from than professional players who make a living playing Dota? The pros have recently discovered an unlikely mid laner that very few are currently using in ranked matches. While popular mid lane heroes like Storm Spirit, Puck, and Queen of Pain struggle with win rates below 47 percent, Earthshaker has emerged as a rising power pick.
During the regional qualifiers for The International, Earthshaker has been picked 24 times and boasts an impressive 79.17 percent win rate, according to stats site Spectral. Virtus Pro’s squad1x achieved great success by exclusively picking Earthshaker, going 11-0 with 11 assists in one dominant victory, securing their spot in the Eastern European qualifier for The International.
Despite this remarkable success in the professional scene, Earthshaker mid has only been seen in nine percent of pub matches. Many players are still sticking to heroes that are struggling in the current patch (7.34b), but it may be time for mid laners to consider switching things up and giving Earthshaker a try.
Earthshaker’s versatility in professional Dota is unquestionable, as he performs well in almost every position. This makes him an excellent first-pick choice in drafts, leaving opponents guessing whether you’ve selected your core support or your key mid laner.
Professional players tend to be a bit greedier with their item builds and skill choices when playing Earthshaker mid. The buffs to Fissure in patch 7.33c mean that just one level of the stun is sufficient, allowing players to focus on maxing Enchant Totem. Most pros don’t even invest skill points in Fissure until level five, opting for two points in Totem and Aftershock instead.
The increased range of Enchant Totem and the added damage from Aftershock make last hitting in the lane easier and allow for heavy damage against enemy mid laners who get too close. Earthshaker is also a great counter to the popular hero Pangolier, as he can punish him once he has used his Swashbuckle and before he reaches level six. As always, professional players prioritize leveling up Echo Slam at level six, followed by maxing Enchant Totem and Aftershock.
In terms of itemization, professional players typically rush Blink Dagger after brown boots, followed by an Aghanim’s Scepter. The Aghs upgrade turns Enchant Totem, which is already a powerful ability, into one of the best abilities in the game. It can be used for engaging, landing a critical stun, or escaping from a losing situation.
While most pros upgrade their boots to Treads after Blink Dagger, if you find yourself slightly behind, it may be beneficial to go for the attack speed boost and extra stats provided by Treads. After Aghanim’s Scepter, professional players usually opt for a Black King Bar, but if you’re ahead, a Shadow Blade or Silver Edge can be viable alternatives.
To further enhance Earthshaker’s effectiveness, an Octarine Core is recommended for the reduced cooldown, ensuring that Enchant Totem is available as often as possible. Beyond this point, item choices depend on the game state. If you need protection against single-target spells that can disrupt your initiation, a Linken’s Sphere is a good option. If you require additional impact in team fights, a Refresher Orb can provide an extra Echo Slam.
Alternatively, prioritizing health is a solid choice. Building a Heart of Tarrasque and upgrading to Overwhelming Blink can give Earthshaker over 4,000 HP, making him nearly invulnerable when combined with a BKB.
Give Earthshaker a try in the mid lane and experience firsthand how potent he can be as a core hero when given farm priority. With his recent success in professional play, it’s likely that he will become one of the most-picked heroes at The International.
Source: DOTESPORTS
